Friday, August 31, 2007

Fashion and the French-Hermes, Chanel and Louis

The French have been fashion-conscious FOREVER. It started way back in 1643 when Louis XIV inherited the throne as a child. He learned that he had better establish the majesty and power of the monarchy by dressing opulently, wearing those towering wigs (never a bad hair day, at least) and decorating his palaces using the grandest interior decorators. He never forgot the terror of his childhood when warring factions of the nobility tried to diminish the child-king's authority to grab more of the goodies for themselves. The bitter civil war was called the Fronde.
ANYWAY, Louis decided he was going to use fashion, art, decor to glorify the position of King so those pesky nobles would back off. Now thanks to that very wise and discriminating consumer, Louis, we have the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre's amazing vaulted ceiling frescoes, and eventually Chanel, Hermes, and Gaultier. Thank you Louis XIV. You had great taste (and nice legs too.)

Monday, August 20, 2007

How to Get Along in France for You Vacationers Out There

Hey, I understand 'em and I love 'em. Most Americans don't understand the French. They're not rude, but WE are. I advise people visiting France to approach each French person with a polite Bonjour even before asking where's the bathroom or which way to the Metro station. Today the French Property Insider sent out an e-newsletter suggesting exactly the same thing. Be super polite and you'll (hardly) ever encounter the stereotype of a "rude" French person. They've come to expect American tourists to barge into their shop and start barking questions without even an "Excuse me" or a "Hello." Don't do it. Remember this good advice below and your trip to France will be full of harmony and happy memories.

Adrian Leeds writes...

You'll be a happier traveler if you know a few things about Paris and France before you step off onto its soil.

If you've traveled to France before, then you already know that France is very different than the United States. The language is different, the culture is different, the people are different.

It is these differences that make traveling to France, or traveling anywhere for that matter, very exciting. Every moment can be a new adventure when you travel to a foreign place, as long as you're open to exploring the differences.

LET'S START WITH THE LANGUAGE -- FRENCH.

Many French now speak English, at least some, but don't expect them to speak to you in English when French is their native language. Remember, they may not get a lot of practice and feel awkward speaking English. So, it's not that they don't want to -- they just don't feel comfortable. Luckily, you don't need a lot of French to maneuver well, and there are a few key phrases that will endear you to anyone you meet. Start practicing:

ALWAYS say BONJOUR MADAME or BONJOUR MONSIEUR upon entering ANY establishment -- a restaurant, a cafe, a shop. Say Bonjour to a salesperson before you ask any question. Say Bonjour to the taxi driver and the bus driver. You simply can't say it often enough.

ALWAYS say S'IL VOUS PLAIT before you ask anything at all! When ordering even a cup of coffee in a cafe, say s'il vous plait, may I have a coffee? Say it before and say it after. You simply can't say it enough.

ALWAYS say MERCI or MERCI BEAUCOUP every time it is appropriate. When the waiter leaves the coffee on the table, when you've paid for the things you've purchased, when you've checked out of your hotel. You simply can't say it enough.

LEARN to say PARDON or EXCUSEZ-MOI. Paris is particularly densely populated and walking down the street means tight spaces. The French don't mind those tight spaces, but if two people touch in anyway, you are sure to hear "Pardon" or "Excusez-moi." You'll hear it a million times a day, so be prepared to say it. You simply can't say it enough.

ALWAYS say AU REVOIR when you leave any establishment -- any café, restaurant, shop. Just get into the habit of saying "Merci, au revoir" every time you step out onto the street. It doesn't matter who exactly you say it to, but they'll hear you and know you have good manners. You simply can't say it enough.

So, please say please. And thank you for saying thank you. Have a wonderful vacation in France! Bon Voyage.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Is there Such a Thing as Fiction?

I was thinking today about writing fiction. My article, Why Write, published on many writing websites, gives some good tips for aspiring novelists. But one thought occurred to me today. Maybe there is no such thing as fiction because anything that a writer's mind conceives has happened in real life. Even in the genres of Fantasy and Science Fiction, it has happened somewhere to someone or else the writer would not be able to formulate the words and ideas to express the narrative. So there is no such thing as fiction. Everything is non-fiction, even fiction.

Sunday, August 5, 2007

President Sarkozy

"Is our new President, Nicolas Sarkozy -- or Nicolas, as he prefers to be known -- France’s answer to John F. Kennedy in the States?...His enthusiasm seems to be creating the dynamism that France could really do with -- perhaps the ‘feel good factor’ is now arriving in France!" This is a quote from an "homme on the street" and seems to be the sentiment of a majority of French citizens about their new president. There's a feeling of optimism in the air and a hope that the tradition-bound French bureaucracy can be prodded into the 21st century while STILL RETAINING THE UNIQENESS THAT MAKES FRANCE, FRANCE AND NOT THE USA!
We don't want the French to give up one single quality that makes them French. But reforms that do away with the stranglehold of the labor unions (who call for strikes and paralyze the country at the drop of a beret) would be a step toward more prosperity for the French.
I love the French because they revere their history while looking forward to the future. They aren't a "disposable society" as we are in the US. Everything is so "five minutes ago" here. Pop culture is a Dixie cup to be crumpled and tossed away when the Kool-aid's been drained.
So, France, good luck on your new quest following your new hero atop his white charger.